International Youth Day

 High-level event to mark the International Youth Day 2024. The theme is “ From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development. ” The United Nations Theme Group on Youth, in coordination with the UN system in China, hosted a youth dialogue to welcome this important international day and highlight the digital contributions that young people in China have made to advance sustainable development. Opened by Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Representative of UNESCO, the event stressed that the UN always recognizes the pivotal role young people play in creating an inclusive, equitable and sustainable world for all. The dialogue is held during Mr. Felipe Paullier, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs’ visit to China for the upcoming World Youth Development Forum. As the first UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs appointed by the UN Secretary General, he leads the UN Youth Office and helps ensure more young people are included in decision-ma...

International Youth Day celebrates the power and potential of young people. This year’s focus is on the pivotal role of youth in harnessing technology to advance sustainable development. Around the world, young people are turning clicks into progress, making the most of digital tools to take on local and global challenges – from climate change to rising inequalities to the growing mental health crisis. But achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a seismic shift – which can only happen if we empower young people and work with them as equals. That means bridging digital divides, boosting investments in education, critical thinking and information literacy, tackling the gender biases that often dominate the tech industry, and supporting young innovators in expanding digital solutions. As Artificial Intelligence reshapes our world, young people must also be front and centre in shaping digital policies and institutions. Next month’s Summit of the Future is an opportunity to bui...

Digitalization is transforming our world, offering unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable development . Digital technologies such as mobile devices, services, and artificial intelligence are instrumental in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Data generated from digital interactions supports evidence-based decision-making . With profound impact across economic, social and environmental dimensions, digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70 per cent of the 169 SDG targets while potentially reducing the cost of achieving these goals by up to USD 55 trillion . Young people are leading the charge in digital adoption and innovation, with three-quarters of those aged 15 to 24 using the internet in 2022 , a rate higher than other age groups. However, disparities persist, particularly in low-income countries and among young women, who often have less access to the internet and digital skills compared to their male counterparts. While there is an...

We invite you to submit your youth-led or youth-focused digital solutions that address the SDGs. Open Call for Entry: Submit Your Youth Digital Initiatives for International Youth Day 2024!  Selected initiatives will be featured in the UN's official International Youth Day 2024 case study infographics and shared across UN communication channels.  GET INVOLVED!